BOWIE, MD – Verizon says it will offer an early separation package to surplus employees in the DC, Maryland and Virginia region.

“When employees leave the company under a voluntary separation package, the company provides generous payments that are respectful of the employees contributions to the company. This only affects the shrinking part of the business,” said Alberto Canal, spokesman for Verizon.

The company, which made $6.4 billion in profits in 2008 and is one most profitable companies in the U.S.

“At a very stressful time for our economy and working families, Verizon is abandoning the very employees who provide the quality service that makes Verizon so profitable,” says Communications Workers of America VP Ron Collins.

CWA points out that Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg is one of the country’s highest paid executives, grossing $18 million in 2008.

“Layoffs are always a last resort for us. We’ve been very committed to finding efficiencies throughout the business,” says Canal.

© 2009, TechJournal South. All rights reserved.